CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Background

Pragmatics is the study of meaning conveyed by the speaker (or writer) and
interpreted by the listener (or reader). Pragmatics is a study about the intention of
speakers when they are producing a speech. One of variable in speech is politeness.
As human being we need to do the interaction with other people. Every
interaction will has different sense depend on the person who does it. As a human, we
also are able to separate from the social interaction. When we talk about linguistic
interaction, we will know if there are many factors that talk about it. To get the sense of
interaction we should look at various factors which relate to social distance and
closeness. Every interaction that people do, usually they get the impact from their culture
and behavior. So when we do the interaction with them, we will think how to show our
politeness to our listener/ partner. To show it we usually adapt from their culture and
behavior.
In order to make our speeches in the interaction is meaningful; we must consider
various factors associated with inequality and social proximity. Most of these factors are
specifically formed through an interaction other than due to external factors as well. It is
not unusual if we treat the decency as a firm concept like the idea of social behavior
manners, or etiquette contained in the culture. It is also possible specify the number of
general principles which is different to be courteous in social interactions within a
particular culture.
People are not born polite but acquire it from learning. When we are communicating
with each other consciously or unconsciously, cultural backgrounds affect our behaviors
and reactions. People live in a certain cultural environment, and his/her behaviors are
featured by his/her cultures. In order to avoid cultural misunderstandings which will lead to
communication failure, people should abide by a certain courtesy criteria. The American

philosopher and logician, Paul Grice pointed out that in conversation, the participants must
first of all be willing to cooperate; otherwise, it would not be possible for them to carry on
the talk. In another hand, we as the seventh group of Pragmatics class will discuss it more
in this paper because when we learn to get sense of interaction we will examine about
Politeness and Interaction too. Since politeness occurs in interaction and it happen when
we are respected to the listener, so it is very important to discuss about it in relation to
pragmatic context.

B. Problem Formulation
Based on the background above, the problems discussed can be formulated as follows:
1. What does the politeness mean?
2. What is the Brown and Levinsons politeness theory?
3. What is face wants; negative and positive face; negative and positive politeness?
4. How the super strategies in politeness work?

C. Objective
This paper is aimed to know the politeness in pragmatics context, theory of
politeness, some terms in politeness and the strategy used in politeness itself.

D. Function
This paper is made:
1. For completing the group assignment of Pragmatics as a subject in the sixth semester
of English Education Study Program.
2. To expand the students and readers knowledge about politeness and interaction.
3. To inspire the readers in terms of assuming them to be polite in producing an
utterances or speeches.

CHAPTER II
DISCUSSION

A.

Definition of Politeness
According to dictionary.com, politeness is defined as showing good manners
towards others or as being refined or cultured (2011); however, in the field of linguistics
the concept of politeness is much more complex. Politeness is the expression of the
speakers intention to mitigate face threats carried by certain face threatening acts toward
another (Mills, 2003, p. 6). According to Brown and Levinson (1987) everyone has selfpublic image which has relation to emotional and social sense of self and expects everyone
else to recognize. Politeness refers to the common notion of the term, that is, the way
politeness manifests itself in communicative interaction.

Politeness is one of the

constraints of human interaction, whose purpose is to consider other`s feelings, establish

levels of mutual comfort, and promote rapport. Hill et al. (1986: 282).
In term of interaction, politeness can define as the means employed to show
awareness for another persons face. Some factor determined the politeness:
a. Lexical choice: Use the word could, would, or etc.
b. Sentence structure: We can use command sentence by using asking sentence.
c. Gesture and Posture: Use our part of body to support to our speech.
d. Intonation
According to Yule politeness is the awareness of another person face. The word face in
this case refers to the public self-image of a person. The examples of politeness:
A student to teacher
Student

: Excuse me Mr. Buckingham, but can I talk to you for a minute?

Friend to friend
Hey Bucky, got a minute?

Brown and Levinson (1978) suggest that a need to be polite is common to all cultures.
Politeness, in an interaction, can be defined as the means employed to show awareness of
another persons face. In this sense, politeness can be accomplished in situations of social
politeness distance or closeness. Showing awareness for another persons face when that
other seems socially distance is often described in terms of respect or deference. Showing
the equivalent awareness when the other is socially close is often described in terms of
friendliness, camaraderie, or solidarity.
Politeness generally associated with the relationship between the two participants
who can be referred to as 'self' and 'others'. The views of politeness within pragmatics study
have been described by some experts. Among them are Leech, Robin Lakoff, Bowl and
Levinson.
Based on some definitions of politeness, in our opinion politeness can be defined as
the actions taken by competent speakers in their interactions in a community in order to
attend to possible social or interpersonal disturbance. In addition, it is about having or
showing good manners and respect for the feelings of others.
B. Brown and Levinsons Politeness Theory
Perhaps the most thorough treatment of the concept of politeness is that of Penelope
Brown and Stephen Levinson, which was first published in 1978 and then reissued, with a
long introduction, in 1987.
1. Face wants
People generally behave as if their expectations concerning their public self-image, or
their face wants, will be respected. If a speaker says something that represents a threat to
another individuals expectations regarding self-image, it is described as a face threatening
act. The speaker can say something to lessen the possible threat. This is called a face
saving act.
So, in the social interactions of everyday life, people generally behave as if their
expectations of public self-image that they will have the respect of others. If a speaker
says something that is a threat to the expectations of others about their self-image, is said
to act as a Face Threatening Act (FTA). Alternatively, someone can say something that

has the possibility of a smaller threat. This is referred to as Face Saving Act (FSA).
Consider the following example:
A neighbor was playing very loud music and the couple is trying to sleep. The husband
can do FTA: "Im going to tell him to stop that awful noise right now!" Or the wife can do
FSA: "Perhaps you could just ask him if he is going to stop soon because its getting a bit
late and people need to get to sleep.
It can be conclude that face threatening act is a direct speech act can give the
impression that you have a social power over the other person. Ex: give me that! While
face saving act is an indirect speech act in the form of a question removes the assumption
of power. Ex: can you give me that?

2. Negative and Positive Face

According to Brown and Levinson, people can have two faces: negative face and
positive face. Negative face is the need to be independent, to have freedom of action, and
not to be imposed on by others. It is he basic claim to territories, personal preserves, and
rights to non-distraction. Positive face: is the need to be accepted, even liked, by others, to
be treated as a member of the same group, and to know that his or her wants are shared by
others. It is the positive and consistent image people have of themselves, and their desire
for approval. In other words, negative face is the need to be independent and positive face
is the need to be connected (in a relationship). Look at the difference:

Negative Face: The need to be independent and free.

Im sorry to bother you.
I know youre busy.
Appeal to negative face.
Positive Face: The need to be connected and a member of the group.
Lets do it together.
You and I have the same problems.
Appeal to positive face.

In connection with the negative and positive face, it can be concluded that the FSA
oriented to face negative and altruism, even included an apology for the disruption
created. FSA like this is called negative politeness. While the FSA is oriented towards
positive face someone would tend to show solidarity and stressed that both sides (of the
speaker and hearer) want the same thing and the same goal anyway. FSA in this form is
called positive politeness.

3.

Negative and Positive Politeness

Negative politeness gives attention to the negative face by applying the distance
between speaker and hearer and it does not interfere with each other region. Speakers use
it to avoid coercion, and gives hearer choice. Speakers can avoid the impression of force
by emphasizing the interests of others by using an apology, or to ask questions that give
you the possibility to answer "no". For example, in a student center building, you ask for
help to the address of the site you need to say to David,
"Sorry, I do not mean to interrupt, but perhaps you can tell the site address lecturer
talking about this morning?"
Another example,
"Sorry to interrupt, Can I borrow five hundred thousand, ehmm, if you do not need it
right now?
The more likely choice "no" answer is given, then the speech was more polite.
Positive politeness aims to save by applying closeness and solidarity, usually in
friendship or companionship, makes others feel uncomfortable and stressed that both
sides (of the speaker and hearer) have the same goal. Suppose you are still in the student
center and still need help, this time you ask for help at your close friends, Rudi.
"Rudi, you have a very good and cool memory, it would be more cool if you tell me the
address of the site which Mr.Handano means."

4.

Super Strategies In Politeness

In every speech act, we always have a lot of expression of speech. Brown and
Levinson (1987) suggests some super strategies for users of language to communicate in

a polite way (quoted from Yule, 1996, pp.62-66). The following example will be member
explanation of superstrategies.
For instance, you are taking an exam. You then realize that you do not bring a
pen. Are you sure your classmates will help. In this case, first you have to make a
decision whether to say something or not.

1. Not saying anything (Say Nothing)

You can instantly search for it in a bag without saying anything waiting for you to
ask your friends or offer assistance. The 'do not say anything' may be successful or
unsuccessful. It depends on how others interpret
your actions.
2. Say something: off the record
If you decide to say something, you can say:
"Oh dear. I Forgot my pen ". Similarly, the approach
'does not say anything ", say something: off the
record is also likely to succeed or fail. There is no
guarantee that other people must understand your
intent.
3. Say something: on record
Contrary to the statement off the record, you
can express your needs by directly talking to
someone. The most explicit way to express your needs is firmly on record. You can
directly ask for help by saying: "Give me a pen!" Explicit request, following the maxim
of Grice is really direct and concise. Nevertheless, it has the potential to threaten advance
hearer if the request is regarded as a command. To avoid this, you must do a face saving
acts that use positive and negative politeness strategies to curb the threat.

Positive politeness strategy oriented efforts to improve the positive face threats
listener. When you use positive politeness, try to imagine that the listener has the same
base or even have a friendship with you. Using the language of identity in a group, you
can say: ( "How about letting me use your pen?)" Form let mark their sense of solidarity
7

between speaker and listener. However, this strategy still have a risk to be rejected if the
listener with your different social levels. In this case, the opposite politeness strategies
may be more appropriate to use.

Negative politeness strategy does not always mean bad. In fact, this strategy aims
to improve the negative facts that threaten the listener. You can ask for help indirectly by
asking "Could you lend me a pen?" Or "Sorry to bother you, but may I borrow your
pen?" These questions are preceded by an expression of apology for the imposition of
that show your concerns about loss for the listener. Additionally, ask permission to ask
more questions politely.

5.

Pre- sequences
The basic assumption is one way of avoiding risk is to provide an opportunity for the
other to halt the potentially risky action.
Example 1:
A: Are you busy? (pre-request)
B: not really (go ahead)
A: Check over this memo. (request)
B: Okay (accept)
Example 2:
C: Are you busy? (pre-request)
D: Oh, sorry (stop).

CHAPTER III
CLOSING

A. Conclusion

In conclusion, politeness is generally associated with the relationship between the two
participants who can be referred to as 'self' and 'others'. It can be defined as the actions taken
by competent speakers in their interactions in a community in order to attend to possible
social or interpersonal disturbance. In addition, it is about having or showing good manners
and respect for the feelings of others.
According to Brown and Levinsons theory, there is some terms that should be
understood; face wants, negative and positive face, negative and positive politeness.
However, it is very important to use a super strategy in applying politeness when we are in
the certain situation, whether we want to choose in saying nothing or saying something (off
record or on record).
Finally, it can be concluded that politeness is not in a small narrow area. It is very
important to be applied in our daily life especially in making an utterance or in producing our
speech acts in terms of pragmatic situation or context.

B. Suggestions
Based on the conclusions that have been described, it can be suggested the following matters,
namely:

We as speakers must be able to speak politely to create healthy communication between

speaker and hearer.

We apply or implement the concepts of politeness from experts in speaking with others.